Globe support and measuring device



Aug. 13, 1963 w. CHAMBERLIN GLOBE SUPPORT ANDMEASURING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1'7, 1961 ATTORNEY Aug. IT3,'"-1963 w. CHAMBERLIN 3,100,353

. GLOBE SUPPORT AND MEASURING DEVICE Filed March 17, 1961 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR n/mm/wv OWIM P M I BY 17- I 54W ATTORNEY 1963 w. CHAMBERLIN 3,100,353

GLOBE SUPPORT AND MEASURING DEVICE Filed March 17, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY problems.

United States Patent National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C., a corporation or the District of Columbia Filed Mar. 17, 1961,'Ser. No. 96,442 Claims. (Cl. 35-46) The present invention relates'to educational devices and more particularly to globe assembliesrepresenting the earth. 1 l

- There are many Well-known forms'of globe assemblies useful for geographical study of the earth. There are also many forms of globe arrangements especially adapted to solve navigational problems as well as geographical With the present-day increased interest in World geography, as Well as the explorations in space,

there is greatly increased demand [for world globe assemblies having measuring arrangements to solve a very great variety of geographical, astronomical and navigational problems not only in relation to the surface of the earth but also in relation to the space and universe surrounding the earth.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved world globe arrangement having measuring devices to facilitate the measurement or solution of a great many problems, both navigational and geographic.

Another object of the invention is to provide -a new form of world globe assembly that may be used to solve problems concerning the passage of a satellite in orbit around the earth.

Another object of the invention is to provide an im proved world globe assembly with greatly enhanced 11sefulness and with improved appearance both in display storage and in use.

A further object of the present invention is to pnovide an improved measuring device for use with globe assemblies to facilitate the measurement of surface distances,

comparison of surface areas, plotting and prediction of,

satellite orbits and the ilke. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved globe assembly having arrangements and features to facilitate the solution of astronomical problems of the sun, moon, planet and satellite positions as well as overearth azimuth and distance and the earths shadow cone greater than a hemisphere having an inner surface radius approximately the same as the radius of. the surface go f the globe so that thetransparent measuring device may be placed to overlie any desired area of section-of the globe with the selected globe map portion visible. therethrough. The measuring device is provided withsuitable indicia thereon which may be seen to 'overlietheglobe map and can be used to indicate surface area, surface distance and other factors, as will be described in more detail. The measuring device may also be provided with ICE 2 face of the globe when moving the measuring device around on the globe surface, slightly raised and smoothly noundedprojections are formed on the inner or under surface of the spherical measuring device so as to space the device generally above the surface of the globe when in use. Also, these projections prevent the'creation of a suction between the measuring device and globe, so that the device may be moved freely relative tothe globe.

Further objects, features and the attending'advantages of the invention will beapparent with reference to the following specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of theglobe assembly of the invention. in place to be -used; g c

FIG; 2 as top plan view of the globe assembly of the invention with the spherical protractor centered in place;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section through the globe assem be used as shown in FIG. 2; p

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view'showing how the spherical protractor is supported to be freely movable onthe globe surface;

bly with the sphericalprotractor positioned in place to FIG. 5 is a siniplifiedjelevational. view of the globe assembly with the spherical protractor in the stored position, and g FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the globe assembly and spherical protractor in stored relation similar toFIG. 5. v

Referring to the drawings, the globe assembly is the usual sphere 10 made of any suitable material and having a map of the world on its surface, together with the usual fifteen degree spaced latitude and longitude marking lines. As may be more clearly seen in FIGS. 1-3. of the drawings, the globe 10 is freely rotatably supported Within a cradle oomprisedof a great-circle ring 11 and carried by support members such as shown at 12, 13 and 14 s'ecured to a decorative base 15. H Only three of the support riser members 12'-14 are clearly, shown in the drawings, but it should be understood that at least two of the support members 12 and -13 arediametrically OPPO'. sitely positioned and the supports maybe formed of clear plastic and provided with a vertical line marking such as shown at 16. The line marking 16 will be laterdescri-bed in connection with its suggested usage. The base of the support 15 includes a raisedrounded projection 17 upon which the globe may rest' to be may rotatable,- It will j be noted thattheglbbe assembly thus far described enablesthe globe 10 to be'r emovably supportedand freely notatably positioned-so that it may berotated to any desired-position within the sup-port. Thegreat-circleiing 11'is provided with various indicia'including degre mark of whichmay be 'oohv'e-n tiona-h I v v In addition to the globe assembly thus far described,

ings,"statute mile markings, and time the invention includes a spherical protractorio'which is formed of 'sheet'material,preferably clear plastidfwith an inner ,radius substantially "the same as, or slightly larger than; the radius of the globe'. Thus the spherical protractor1'20 may be-positiohed' on the globe tof'b'e' lmoved over any desired surface thereof. ""-As shown' inthe' I drawings," the spherical narrating is sc irriewljrat less than ahemisphere in'size, so' thatit maybe easily'fposi a sighting member that is located in a predetermined retione'd' on the globe. spherical' fprotra ctorfZh is A provided with a'sighting'element or aperture 'Zlwhich willenable the sphericalprotr-actor, and-its markings later described, 'to be aligned relative tda'desiredpointon the ma of the earth on the globes surface, Whenuo in use;

the spherical p'rot'ractor ZOmaybe stored;as more clearly 7 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawirigs, -at the base of the globe in nested rela ion between the globe 10' and its supporting base 15. The-aforementioned sighting aper Patented Aug. 13, 1963 with the spherical protractorzone makin s, all p "ture 21 is of sutficient size "circle of ;the gldbe to point outshort arcs o passa e o fth'like." A

-: as wwsly 4e qr bed t M "tilted as the earth tself in lines. tQWardthe sun; lf it ts spherical protractor 20 is 'also'provided with a-plural-ity to receive the projection 17 of the base l so that the spherical protractor 2t) will be of slightly rouhd'ed raised projections 22,.only one of Which is shownin FIG. 4. These projections, "whichare 'spaced at various points within the innhfrieririhery of the spherical protractor 20, serve to raise the general sur j fa ccfo'f the spherical protractor slightly above thesurface of the, globe to prevent scratchirig' the globe bythe ihdicia circle, it is only necessary to line up the two points on the globe so that they both touch the great-circle ring. If one of the points is also placed on the zero mile indication on the great-circle ring'then the other rnile indication, adjacentthe other point to be measured, will indicate the surface distance in statute milesbetween the two points. If this distance is to be measured in terms of hautical' miles, then the degree scale of the great-circle on ,the protractor 'as the spherical protractorand; globe I are inovedrelativeto each otherjf As mentionedearlier, w; the projectio'ns 22 also preyent the creation of; frictional engagement and the forma on'of a suction between the protractor; and globe.

Referring newmoweds uats/i s 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that thelsiiherical irotractor Q is provided with a number oi'ihdiciaor rn 'arkings. Eoriexample, the markings may include almucantar circle V markings 23 Whichfare concentric with thesighting eper- I rare 2 1 and spaced at positions representing 500' miles, to indicatesurface distance from thecenter of the sighting" elenrent. -In 'additionQan. azimuth line '24 maybe provided which intersects the almucantar circles andextends diametrically across the surface of the spherical protractor;

" The bottom edge ;of f the spherical p'rotractor 20 may be 15' r I thesarnemannerias has beeri'previously described in determiningdistance betweerr two' pointsgon the earths ring would be employed, audit is understood that each degree on the great-circle ring equals sixty nautical miles. I

It is not believed necessary to" describe in detail how 7 the great-circle ring can; be used toideterrnine standard timeat any' point on the earth, since this is a;.conventional procedure-which Wouldbe used in connection with the time and degree'rnarkings on the great-circle ring, much 7 surface." It isjalso not believed necessary to'describe, in

provided withdegree markings 26 in both degrees and minutes for precisely locating true direction. 'Furthermore, the spherical prot-ractor'w may be provided with anaIemmatiomarkingS-QS: whichmay be used for purposes-to be described. ,In addition, the spherical protractor'zfi is provided withmarkingsindicative of square mile area, andthese markings 27 include a plurality of small rectangles, each rectangle representing an area of 100 miles by IOOmiles, or 10,800 square miles. With the 1.00 squares as shown, an area of one million miles is indicated. It is desiredto point out againthat the spherical protractor 29 is preferablyformed,ioi transparent plastic material and that the markings as described-are placed on thetransparent protractor byfany suitable well known, technique such as, .for example, etching, em-

bossing'or thelike. ,These markingsmay be colored to.

increase their. visibility if desired, f

f. T egl be assembtly including th spherical pro tractor 1 as describedmay have various uses, some ofavhich willbe described herein." Itshould be understood, howeventhat, spherical'protractor 20 maybe used withotherglobe assernlblies, providedof course,:that the inner radius off'g thesphe'fical protractorsuitably matches theradius olf'tlzte globewithfwhichfit is'to be useds When the globe 10 is? detail howthelatitude and longitude markings onthe globe and the great-circle ring and 'support may be used 'to locate any point on the earth byits latitude and longitude sirrce-thi's prooedure'is conventional and well-known.

If ibisdesired tofind the antipode for any particular spot onthe earth Which'is, of course, the point on the earth farthest away from the spot on the earth, the greatcircle ring may again be used with reference to the dcgree markings. For example, assume that the spot on the earth for which the antipode is-to be determined is Washington, DC. The globe is rotated to place Wash,

ington ata mark on the great-circle ring. iheother.

, 90 markon the great-circle ring will then indicate the 'antipode which is the the earth.

point at the exact opposite side of The spherical protractor ltl is useful for determining many other problems. For example, the azimuth or A true direction from one point to another of the earths T vsurfacelmay'be quickly determined'in degrees starting sothat it intersects,or points toward theNorth Pole:

with zero from true, North. In order to do this, it is first 1 necessary to center the sighting hole 2?; of theisphcrical i protractor 29' ever the starting point on the earths surface. Then}.t-he zero line or azimuth line 24 is lined up Then it is necessary to stretch a string or other similar element from' the starting point tothe ending point on the earthfs Surface across the surface oftheisp herical protractor, and the point thatthe string crosses thedirec resting in 'thestand, the great-circle band or. ring 11 holds Q re h desiredto pos surface includes suchdotted line ,indicia. Y

Ifdt is desired, to know the shortestd ista-nc ebetween L any two points onthe globegwliich'is, of course, thefg'r'eat ame;- as: e 'tp c.- srhe tion. sca le or degree markings arouncl the; edge of the spherical protract'or indicates .the'azimuthin' degrees. The grid scale '27 of the sphericalgprotnactor ,20 as previously described may be used to estimate area of land or ocean portions of the globe. As previously men- "tioned,:each of the smalLsquares; represents an area of, 10,000 squarerniles." ,If the transparent spherical pro-'- tractor is placed yviththeia're'a grids 'overlying't-he globe surface to be estimated in aroma-glance will showfwhat proportion o f'thea'reasquares is 'representedbythe surasured. By counting the solidly filled squares and estimating :the. 'partly filled squares, an estimate of the actual areato be measured may be :readily spherical protractor can also be'used to compare area size 'iby; tracing }the" outlineoff-a geographicalunit 20 may ,;be used to find'theone spot onthe earth'where thesun fiis: at zenith on any dayiof the year. For example, as-

fsui nethat the date isrApril 15 and that the observer is in W ashington,. D.C. It'i's-desired to know the one spot nearest the sun at noon. analernma- 2 5 is'centered I 'betweenthe lines'ottheITropics of-Cancer and Capricorn on the earths surface with the meridian line of the Zianalerhrha-ih line with the Washington, DQC, meridian 'such'.a s ,.a-,countryonithe protractor andthereafter rnovv t ingthejirotractor relative'tothe globe to position the traced outline'oi eranother, geographical unit to compare herelative,sizesof -the-units; g g a V V v v j TheanaIemma'ZS of thespherical protractor U z the globeonsuch an -taxis, th s only necessary 'to,turu;;the globe sp thatithe'dottedlineslfor' f a l f r opics of Cancerand Capricorn both touch thegr eatfloirclef-ring. "It should b'e-understood, of course,that the mapfof the cart-has conventionallyplaced;on the-globes i the earths surface as a great circle on the globe. The observer then reads along the analemma for the date (April 14) whichindicates that the sun is almost directly over the .Panama Canal, thus solving the problem. The analemm-a 25 may be used to solve other problems which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The globe assembly of the invention, together with the spherical'protractor 20, may also be used for tracking an artificial satellite in orbit, as soon as the satellite enters on a relatively stable path that can be traced on It is vonly necessary to know the satellites inclination (or the distance in degrees that it travels north or south of the Equator) together'withthe time required to complete one orbit of the earth. Given these two factors, the course of the satellite can be predicted. For example, say that the inclination is 60 and the orbit time is one hour and 'forty minutes. If'the satellite passes over Washington, DC, at noon, the cities over which it will pass onits next orbit can be indicated as follows. First, incline the globe in the great-circle ring 11 so that the ring touches the lines for 60 north, 60 south, and the city of Washington, DC. The great-circle ring 11 then shows the satellites orbit over Washington, DC. However, while the satellite is making one orbit around the earth, the earth itself is turning eastward at the constant speed of one degree every four minutes. By the time the satellite has returned over the United States of America, it will follow a path farther west. By dividing four minutes into 100 minutes to deterrr iine how many degrees Westward the satellite will be, the answer will be 25. Now the point where the great-circle ring crosses the Equator as previ ously aligned indicates 47 est. It the observer will add 25 to 47 he will find that the satellites next orbit will intersect the Equator at the 72 point. By turning the globe so that the ring now touches both 60 lines of latitude and the 72 west mark on the Equator, the course of the satellites next orbit over the United States will be indicated, audit will be seen that the satellite comes close to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Another use for which the spherical protractor of the invention maybe employed is to indicate or estimate the flight radius ofman. aircraft or military missile. As previously mentioned, the concentric almucantar circles indicate 500-mile spacings. By placing the sighting aperture 2 1 over the large tend knowing the range of the aircraft or missile an instantdetermination may be made of the point on the globe from which the missile or aircraft could be fired or take oil to arrive at the desired target Thesame method could be used with any celestial body to find or demonstrate lines of position used in navigation.

If it is desired to find the limits of the earths shadow cone ctor satellites at various heights, the globe assembly of the invention may be uscdas follows. First, the suns geographical position for the day and time is found, using the analemma on the spherical protractor to determine declination and equation of time, and using the area. If, for example, the missile range is 1500 miles, it i could be fired from any point Within the third concentric almucantar ring.

The elevational az muth of the sun may be readily determined for a given point on the earths surface as follows. First, the standard meridian for the time of the day at the given point is located. Noon will show the meridian of the geographical position of the sun. By putting the analemma on the suns meridian, the exact geographical position of the sun for the particular date may be determined. By centering the sightingaperture 21 of the spherical protractor on the given point on the globe, the concentric distance circles 23 of the spherical protractor will correspond to the following sun elevations:

Distance (miles) Elevations (degrees) The suns azimuth is found with the direction lines 24:.

time circles on the great-circle ring 11 to determine the men'dianoi the sun. '-N ext the antipode of thesuns geographical position is, found, using the marks on the latitude scale of th'eIgreat-circle' ring. Then the spheri calprotracton-Ztl is centered with'its sighting aperture at this antipode. of the geographicalpositionof the sun.

The concentric "distance circles 2.3- on' the sphericalprm; tractor will then correspond to the earths shadow limits Z for the following heights above the earths surface. I Distance from center Height above surface (statute miles): (Statute miles) Although various suggested uses for the globe and i spherical protractor assembly of the invention have been describedp itshould be understood that many other uses will occur to those skilled in the art. Var-ions modifications may be made within thespirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 7 -1. An educational globe assembly comprising, a globe having a map of the earth on its surface, a support for said globe having a projection adapted to engage and freely rotatably support said globe inremovable relation, and a measuring device formed as a spherical segment not greater than a hemisphere of transparent sheet material having a radius of curvature for its inner surface substantially the same as the radius ofcurvature of said globe whereby said device may be' removably positioned over a desired area of the globes surface with a selected portion of the earths map visible therethrough, said device having a sighting aperture for aligning the device a in predetermined relation to the selected portion of the map on the globes surface, said aperture being adapted to receive said projection whereby said device may beJ stored in nested globe. I I I 2. An educational globe assembly comprising, a globe having a map of the earth onits surface, a support for said globe having a projection adapted to engage and freely rotatably support said globe in removable relation, and a measuring .device formed as a spherical segment relation between said support and said not greater than a hemisphere of transparent sheet ma terial having a radius of curvature tor its inner surface substantially the same as the radius of curvature of said globe whereby said device may be removably positioned over a desired area of the globes surface with a selected 7 portion of the 'storediri nested Q fl..-

t r 4 An educational globe assembly comprising, a globe device having a sighting aperture for aligning the device in predetermined relation to the selectedportion of .the

map on the globes surface, said aperture being adapted to receive saidprojection whereby saidndevice may be stored in nested relation'between said support and said globs, said device having a plurality of spaced-apart raised projectionson the inner, spherical surfaee to space'the surface of, said device above the surface of the globe.

13. An; educationalflglobe assembly comprising, a globe fha fn-gamap'of the earth 011 its surface, a support for d'glo'be having a vprojection adapted to engage and, eely rotat'ably. supportj saidglobe in removable relation,

said suppontljhaving a pair OfldiametricallY opposed upstanding arms and a-gr'eat-circle ringjof slightly larger diameter thanthe diarneter of said globe supported there- -anda measuring device formedxas a spherical segment not greater tha'nxa hemisphereof transparent sheet material having a radius of curvature for its inner surface substantially the same as the radius ofcurvature of said globe whereby said device ma be l'fl'lOVfiblY'PDSlfiOlid over a desirediarea of the globes surface 'with' a selected portion or, the earths map visible: thereth'rou'gh, said de- 'earths map visible theretlirough, said adapted to receive. said projection whereby said device may be stored in nestedrelation bebveen said support and said globe and, said device having a plurality of spaced-apart raised projections on the inner spherical surface to'space the surface of said device above the surface of the globe; V I

5. An educational globe assembly comprisingga globe [having a-niap of the earth on its surface, a support for said globe having"a projection adapted to engage and freely retatably support said globe in removable relation,

said support having a pair of diametrically opposed up standing "rim of transparent material each having a center a linernarking thereon and a great-circle ring of slightly larger diameter than the diameter of said globe supported thereon; and-a measuring device formedas a spherical segment not greater than a hemisphere of transparent sheet material having a radiusof curvature'for its inner surface substantially the sameas therradius of curvature of. said globe whereby said device may be removably vice havingasighting aperture for'hligning the device a T in predetermined relation tot-he selected portion of the map-'onthe globes surface, said aperture being adapted to receive said projection whereby said device may be relation betweensaid support and said 7 having snap of the earth on its surface, a support for said globe having a projection adapted to engage and freely rotatably support said globe in removablerelation, 7 said support having a pairof diametrically opposed upstanding arms and a great-circle ring of slightly larger diameter than the diameter of saidglobe supported there on, and a measuring device formed as a spherical seginent n ot greater than a hemisphere of transparent sheet tnat'erialhaving a radius of curvature for its inner sur- "face substantially the same "as the radius of curvature of said globe whereby ,saiddevice may beremovably positionedovera; desired area. of theglobes surface with a.

selected jportion of the' earths map visible therethrough,

said device' having a 'sighting aperture for aligning the p device in predetermined relation to the iseleoted portion ,7

i of the' -map on 'globefs surface ,said aperture being space the 171,472 g Durant I Dec. 28, 1875 1 812,408 Dickerson Feb. 13, 1 906 887,740 a Phillips' May 12, 1908 $1,532,878 l Bugbee Apr; 7, 1925 2,347,658 Bourne May 2, 1944 2,355,304 Koch Aug. 8,11944 2,546,764 MCI-lose Mar. 27,1951

$2,951,610 Smalley Sept. 6, 1960 7 FOREIGN PATENTS 123,526 1 'Ger many Oct. 3, 1900 positioned over a desired area of the globes surface with a'selected portion of the earths map visible there'through, said device h-aving'a sighting aperture for aligning the device in predetermined relation to the selected portion of the .map on the globes surface, said aperture being adapted to receive said projection whereby said device may be stored in nested relation-between said support and said globeand, said device'hewing a plurality of spacedapart raisedprojeetions on the inner spherical surface to the globe. V V

References Cited in the file of this patent v UNrrED STATES PATENTS France Feb. 18, 1937 surface of said device above the surface of 

1. AN EDUCATIONAL GLOBE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING, A GLOBE HAVING A MAP OF THE EARTH ON ITS SURFACE, A SUPPORT FOR SAID GLOBE HAVING A PROJECTION ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND FREELY ROTATABLY SUPPORT SAID GLOBE IN REMOVABLE RELATION, AND A MEASURING DEVICE FORMED AS A SPHERICAL SEGMENT NOT GREATER THAN A HEMISPHERE OF TRANSPARENT SHEET MATERIAL HAVING A RADIUS OF CURVATURE FOR ITS INNER SURFACE SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THE RADIUS OF CURVATURE OF SAID GLOBE WHEREBY SAID DEVICE MAY BE REMOVABLY POSITIONED OVER A DESIRED AREA OF THE GLOBE''S SURFACE WITH A SELECTED PORTION OF THE EARTH''S MAP VISIBLE THERETHROUGH, SAID DEVICE HAVING A SIGHTING APERTURE FOR ALIGNING THE DEVICE IN PREDETERMINED RELATION TO THE SELECTED PORTION OF THE MAP ON THE GLOBE''S SURFACE, SAID APERTURE BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID PROJECTION WHEREBY SAID DEVICE MAY BE STORED IN NESTED RELATION BETWEEN SAID SUPPORT AND SAID GLOBE. 